BlueSkyNick
Well-Known Member
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of crewing an Oyster 72 up to Southampton docks to go onto a ship en route to the Caribbean. I managed a few simple shots on the iphone, which didnt come out particularly well but give the general impression.
Here she is alongside the ship, with me up on the deck.
The slings are lowered from the crane
The loading crew get them into position...
...a diver gets kitted out ...
... and steps from 20 feet up into Southampton Water !
He dives under the boat to ensure the slings are in the correct position and not twisted, then climbs back up the side of the ship.
The tie down straps are made fast on all the cleats, (everybody has transferred from yacht to ship by this point).
And the yacht is swung over onto the ship
This is the point where you wonder if a 60-ton crane is sufficient for a 47-ton boat !! ....
.... and retreat to the dockside asap!
This shot clearly shows the spreader bars on the crane being close to the mast - we'd had to let go of the back stay, runners and topping lift before the slings could be put into position.
The crew then strap the yacht down to the deck while the crane is still keeping the her balanced on her keel, and before the cradle legs are erected.
Finally, the cradle is welded in position on the deck, while the loading crew move on to the next yacht.....
.... and we had to get back on deck to rerig the backstays.
And now she is off to her new owner's playground in warmer climes.
An interesting way to spend the best part of a whole day in November.
Here she is alongside the ship, with me up on the deck.
The slings are lowered from the crane
The loading crew get them into position...
...a diver gets kitted out ...
... and steps from 20 feet up into Southampton Water !
He dives under the boat to ensure the slings are in the correct position and not twisted, then climbs back up the side of the ship.
The tie down straps are made fast on all the cleats, (everybody has transferred from yacht to ship by this point).
And the yacht is swung over onto the ship
This is the point where you wonder if a 60-ton crane is sufficient for a 47-ton boat !! ....
.... and retreat to the dockside asap!
This shot clearly shows the spreader bars on the crane being close to the mast - we'd had to let go of the back stay, runners and topping lift before the slings could be put into position.
The crew then strap the yacht down to the deck while the crane is still keeping the her balanced on her keel, and before the cradle legs are erected.
Finally, the cradle is welded in position on the deck, while the loading crew move on to the next yacht.....
.... and we had to get back on deck to rerig the backstays.
And now she is off to her new owner's playground in warmer climes.
An interesting way to spend the best part of a whole day in November.
Last edited:
))) err 200ft +
